Photo Gallery: Women of Saudi Arabia

Bedouin Woman

Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Veiled to all men beyond her family, a young Bedouin woman wears the classic face covering of her people. Given only passing mention by the Koran, Islam’s holy book, the veil is an ancient custom traced to India and Persia; it was adopted by Arabia’s nomadic tribes, which enforced a strict code of female modesty.

—From “Women of Saudi Arabia,” October 1987, National Geographic magazine

Woman and Children, Jiddah

Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Popularized by the elite of seventh-century Arabia, the facial veil and head covering worn by a woman on the beach at Jiddah contrast with youngsters' colorful dresses. Veiling became fashionable during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, perhaps in imitation of his many wives, who covered themselves in public at his request.

—From “Women of Saudi Arabia,” October 1987, National Geographic magazine

Mother and Daughter in Old Jiddah

Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Mai Yamani, daughter of former Saudi oil minister Ahmad Zaki Yamani strolls with her daughter through old Jiddah, where windows are latticed to shield the women from view. “I’m a Saudi woman,” she says. “I like my veil.”

—From “Women of Saudi Arabia,” October 1987, National Geographic magazine

Doctor, Dhahran

Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Pioneers in any profession, relatively few Saudi women have entered the work force—despite a boom in education created by the kingdom’s oil wealth—and usually in fields where they won’t come into contact with men. Baby boys are another matter: Dr. Hanan Ali al-Subeai examines a newborn at Airbase Military Hospital in Dhahran. Her ghata, or head covering, is considered a veil.

—From “Women of Saudi Arabia,” October 1987, National Geographic magazine

Truck Driver

Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Bedouin women veil their faces more strictly than city dwellers but enjoy greater freedom of dress and movement. Besides managing the family tent, some have even taken to driving the tribe’s water truck. Driving is a privilege denied women in the city.

—From “Women of Saudi Arabia,” October 1987, National Geographic magazine